I always get asked how I came up with the idea for Winelikes. The answer is that I trust restaurants, wineries, and friends for proper wine education– not artificial intelligence.
Something I often see new wine drinkers fall into the trap of is being too trusting of AI’s recommendations. These apps and organizations can be tempting to use, considering they’re affordable, accessible, and easy to use; but I must say- the drinks you’ll find to love the best come from real experiences, not a suggestion from a computer or algorithm.
Relying on AI for Wine Suggestions
In an article written by Will Smail at BBC News, I read that Sandra Wachther, a professor of technology and regulation, didn’t really agree with AI-powered wine apps. She said, “We might enjoy following our own eyes and noses and value being surprised by a dish or beverage. While I can see many exciting roles for AI in our society, some areas of expertise might be best left to ourselves.”
I couldn’t agree more with Sandra. There are so many ways to get quality wine recommendations. By putting in effort yourself, you’ll be on the road to becoming a wine connoisseur in no time.
Why Proper Wine Education is Important
I think it’s arguable whether or not proper wine knowledge is mandatory, but learning more about the ancient beverage can definitely boost the way you enjoy and understand wine. Here are some ways I’ve found they improve the wine experience:
- Pairing – You’ll be able to better understand how to pair wines with different foods to improve some of your dining experiences.
- Culture – You can explore and appreciate different wine regions, grape varieties, and even winemaking techniques.
- Socializing – Many people love wine, so becoming knowledgeable of the beverage will help you engage in conversations about wine confidently, possibly leading to more social connections.
How to Gain more Wine Knowledge
Hands-On Learning
One of the best ways to learn more about wine is through hands-on and in-person experience. This can be done by visiting wine regions, attending wine tastings, going to a local winery, and even joining wine communities.
Courses
There are so many courses available to educate people on wine. These wine appreciation courses can be online or in-person and teach different wine styles, tasting techniques, and pairings.
Winelikes
When you’re new to wine, it can definitely be a struggle to find the ideal bottles to enjoy. The Winelikes app is a free guide that gives new wine drinkers the perfect choices for any occasion. By solving wine conundrums for new enjoyers, it connects like-minded wine lovers, and even provides wine education.
Letting Real-Life Experiences Shape Your Wine Knowledge
We still don’t know AI’s power or potential, so why let it replace your friends? Some have claimed that AI will help you find a better way to pick a bottle of wine whether you are in a restaurant, supermarket, or wine shop. In my opinion, if you are using AI in a wine shop, you shouldn’t be in the wine shop.
Sometimes, my wife asks me what type of wine she should have when we’re out with friends. I can make the suggestions, and if you ask her, I am almost always right. This inspired our very advanced food pairing feature in Winelikes. I wanted it to be created from suggestions and experiences from real-life individuals that you can trust- not from a robot.
Begin Your Wine Journey with Winelikes
The inspiration behind Winelikes is to encourage new wine drinkers to really immerse themselves into the world of wine- not just buy it. So ask a friend. Go out to dinner. Ask the sommelier what they suggest. Go to a wine store and tell them you have no idea where to begin. I believe that this will truly change the wine industry for the newbies.
We want you to uncover the wines you love on your own terms, ask questions (and there are no stupid ones), and pass on your suggestions to the next. So, if you want to have the best experience on your wine journey, download Winelikes, where you can improve your wine education and join others by sipping, socializing, and sharing.
